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Update from the Island

Relaxation is serious business. I know, because it’s some of the hardest work I’ve ever had to do, and I’m all about hard work (the mental kind, of course, I don’t like to get my hands dirty). For example, I’ve got to catch up on six-months worth of New Yorkers, AND finish this puzzle.

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David and I get to the island (Martha’s Vineyard) twice a year. Once in the summer, for David’s annual exhibition at the Granary Gallery, and again in the fall, for family visiting. For the first time in many years, we are not crunching on a major project or deadline, and were able to get away from home for a whole three weeks.

We spent a handful of nights in Boston, visiting friends, which served as a perfect transition from our hectic work and social calendar to the slow-go that awaited us on the island. David got to wear his new bow tie to a garden party, and we met Tom Dahill, a super cool 89-year-old artist with more spring in his step than anyone else at the gathering.

David's dipperty dappety bow tie

David’s dipperty dappety bow tie

Tom Dahill, explaining his plans for his next public installation

Tom Dahill, explaining his plans for his next public installation

I spent a good amount of time enjoying the lush garden in my friends’ lushly landscaped backyard, sipping coffee and doing stretches in the morning, all the while taking deep breaths of all that vegetation.

Coffee in the morning, wine in the afternoon, always gorgeous

Coffee in the morning, wine in the afternoon, always gorgeous

Sarah showed me her huge raccoon body pillow, and I spent a few minutes feeling envious. I need one of those.

Look at that raccoon! It's bigger than SHE is!

Look at that raccoon! It’s bigger than SHE is!

David and I finally dined at Clio, a place that David has been telling me about ever since we met (a super long time). First we met up with our friend Kiera for drinks at the hip new Wink & Nod.

Wink & Nod, cool atmosphere, friendly service, delicious drinks

Wink & Nod, cool atmosphere, friendly service, delicious drinks

I don’t think Clio was as legendary as David’s romanticized memory of it, but we all had a great time (Kiera, her husband Frank, and us). And I was down to sample some molecular gastronomy. For example, our first course was this “martini,” which tasted like liquid caprese salad. That’s tomato juice filtered so many times it’s clear, topped with a bit of basil oil, and served with a caper and a tomato popsicle.

Tomato Martini at Clio

Tomato Martini at Clio

We had a great time with Kiera, and it looks like she’s going to be able to come to David’s show in a couple of days. More fun!

As is our tradition of the past handful of years, our dear friends Paul and Sarah (owners of that gorgeous garden and throwers of the fun party) drove us to the ferry (a good hour and a half away from Boston), and we grabbed lunch at one of those fresh fish shacks on the way. As we headed out of Boston, David pointed out this gigantic lock and chain on a building. I dug it, so here’s a picture.

Look at this big-ass lock

Look at this big-ass lock

And then the ferry. I love the ferry. I love all boats, actually. Few things are more relaxing than being out on the water, especially when I’m able to get close to it, as in a sailboat. Usually we’re on one of the bigger boats, with air conditioning and wifi, and we go upstairs, find a seat, and plug in. But this time we grabbed a low-tech freighter, with standing room alongside open windows that are much closer to the water’s surface than I could ever get on the other ferries. I stood at that window and stared at the water lapping along the side of the boat for the full 45-minute ride.

My view out the window, leaving Woods Hole and heading to Vineyard Haven

My view out the window, leaving Woods Hole and heading to Vineyard Haven

I’m really bummed to have to miss San Diego Pride this year, but I was glad to be greeted in Vineyard Haven by a yacht flying a huge Pride flag.

Pride flags flying high!

Pride flags flying high!

There was an insane thunder and lightning storm on the second day — sheets of rain smacking against the windows and thunder so loud it woke us in the middle of the night. It was AWESOME. We don’t get weather like that in San Diego, so I loved every minute of the pounding rain, flashes of light, and drum-rolling thunder. It lasted well into the next day, and I sat at the window for a good number of hours, just watching it and marveling.

Trees reflecting in the wet deck as the rain began to taper off

Trees reflecting in the wet deck as the rain began to taper off

Rain so warm I didn't mind stepping outside to get a shot of the wet yard

Rain so warm I didn’t mind stepping outside to get a shot of the wet yard

Soon the rain was gone (too soon for me). Clear skies made it easier to embark on David’s main quest this trip — finding the best lobster roll on the island. He’s going to do his own post on here with all the details and pics of his current foodie adventure. In the meantime, here’s a bumble bee, big and fuzzy, on its own expedition to find the best pollen.

Hungry Bumble

Hungry Bumble

On a random, mildly interesting note, the Obamas are coming here again this year. And again, I am missing them by about a week. They stay in the same small town (Chilmark) in which David’s parents live, where we stay when we visit. Once, the Obamas rented a house just a short walk away. But they didn’t arrive until after we left. This year, looks like they’re a few miles further, on North Road (we’re on Middle Road). We’ll miss them by a few days. Though August is the most crowded month here, it is also the hottest and muggiest, and David and I would rather not suffer the heat. Right now, it’s a lovely, mildly humid 76 degrees, with a cool breeze. That we can handle.

Write-up about which house Obama's renting in the Vineyard Gazette

Write-up about which house Obama’s renting in the Vineyard Gazette

That’s it for now, just a little travel update. I’ll post another after David’s show, with lots of pics and more!


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